GROTON -- Over the course of her four-year varsity basketball career, Rachel McCarron has mastered the art of performing at a high level with a low pulse rate.

There isn't much Groton-Dunstable's senior standout can't do on the court. McCarron, a 5-foot-8 guard/forward, was named the Midland-Wachusett League B Division MVP in her sophomore (11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds a game) and junior (13.8 points, 8.5 rebounds) years.

Not one to rest on her laurels, she's taken her game to the next level this winter. McCarron is averaging 20.8 points and 12.5 rebounds a game for a young Crusader squad that heads into the homestretch with a 5-6 record.

"Not only was she league MVP the last two years, she was unanimous," said Groton-Dunstable girls basketball coach Mark Hennelly. "No one else in our league even got an MVP vote the last two years. She just keeps getting better by improving some facet of her game every season. This year she's become a very consistent three-point shooter. I've also asked her to take on tough defensive assignments, which she willingly does.

"She knows how to ignite the team. I can put her in a ton of roles and she doesn't flinch. I'm really going to miss having her around next season. Of course I'll miss the points she scores, but I'll be honest with you, I'm really going to miss her as a person. I've been blessed to coach her for four years."

Fortunately, Hennelly won't have to travel far to see McCarron play in college. She will attend UMass Lowell on a basketball scholarship.

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McCarron, an honor roll student, plans on majoring in nursing.

"When UMass Lowell offered me I knew I didn't want to go to any other school," said McCarron, who throws the shot and discus for G-D's spring track team. "It was an easy decision. I just loved the idea of playing for (UMass Lowell coach) Sarah Behn. I went to her camp when I was little. So I knew her and she's always been a role model for me.

"It's close to home and my family and friends can watch me play. Everything worked out perfectly and I'm really fortunate to have this opportunity."

Hennelly believes McCarron's game will continue to evolve playing for Behn.

"I think UMass Lowell is very lucky because she's only going to get better," said Hennelly. "She has a tremendous passion for the game. You can't do anything but root for her to do well."

McCarron plays basketball nearly year round. She refined her game during the off-season playing for the Rivals AAU basketball program.

"That's what really helped me become a better basketball player," said McCarron. "I worked really hard in the off-season. I got the opportunity to travel and play in Kentucky, North Carolina and New York against many players who are going Division 1. It was good because it allowed me to see what the next level was like. It was a great experience."

What sets her apart from the majority of her peers is her basketball savvy. McCarron just seems to know where everyone is on the floor at all times. She has "natural instincts" for the game, says Hennelly.

McCarron is approaching the 1,000-point plateau for her career. She needs to average 17 points a game in the Crusaders' final nine games of the regular season to reach this prestigious milestone.

"My main goal right now is to help the team finish up strong and get into the playoffs," said McCarron. "As long as I'm helping out and contributing to that, that's all I really want."

Although she has 1,000 career points clearly in her sights, McCarron continues to be an extremely unselfish player. In a recent game against Hudson she kept passing up shots of her own in order to feed the ball to a teammate with a hot hand.

"I have kids come up to me and ask how close to 1,000 she is because she won't talk about it," said Hennelly. "I'm not a big stat guy. I'm always preaching team. But I really want to see her get to 1,000 points. She deserves it."

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